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May 12, 2013 | ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. — Two St. Bonaventure University students who achieved in the classroom and were selfless, caring and enthusiastic leaders outside of it were recognized as the Ideal Bonaventure Students for the graduating class of 2013.

Thomas “Robbie” Chulick, the Ideal Bonaventure Man, and Courtney B. Cobb, the Ideal Bonaventure Woman, were recognized on Saturday, May 11, during the university’s Honors Ceremony, and again Sunday during its 153rd Commencement Exercises.

The Ideal Bonaventure Students exemplify the spirit of St. Bonaventure and the ideals of St. Francis through community service and academic excellence. They are selected by a committee that considers nominations from the campus community.

Chulick, of Erie, Pa., the son of Terri and Tom Chulick, earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication on Sunday.

Cobb, of Palmyra, N.Y., the daughter of Kathy Cobb, earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 2012 and returned this year to acquire her master’s in childhood literacy.

The honorable mentions were graduating seniors Jessenia M. Andujar, a physical education major from East Rochester, N.Y., and Brett Keegan, a philosophy major from Syracuse.
In describing Chulick, Sr. Suzanne Kush, director of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern at St. Bonaventure, couldn’t find enough appropriate adjectives. “Robbie is enthusiastic, thorough, faithful, cheerful, dependable, engaging, supportive and self-challenging,” said Sr. Suzanne.

Chulick helped University Ministries staff on a number of projects and was not only quick to take on even the most challenging assignments, but followed each through to completion, said Sr. Suzanne. There is “an ease and respectfulness” about him, whether he’s engaging with a fellow student, a staff person or a member of the administration, she said.

A dean’s list student, Chulick started his academic career at St. Bonaventure on the right foot, with induction into Phi Eta Sigma, the national honor society that recognizes academic achievement among first-year college and university students. He received a scholarship from Wegmans Food Markets, for whom he has worked part time as café coordinator of the Erie, Pa., store since 2006.

Chulick served as a residence hall resident assistant, a freshman Orientation team leader through the First-Year Experience Program, a lead ambassador and registration coordinator for the Office of Admissions, and as a peer coach and peer coaching coordinator. He was a board member for the SBU Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and served for three years as executive secretary for the Student Government Association (SGA).

He has also been active in the Catholic community on campus, serving as SGA liaison during the university’s participation in the Presidential Interfaith and Service Challenge, and as a participant on service trips and follow-up reflection sessions.

He was named Student Leader of the Year at this year’s Spring Awards Ceremony on campus.

Chulick was an intern for the Office of Communications on campus; served as social media strategist for the School of Journalism and Mass Communication; and worked as an intern at WTET-TV, an ABC affiliate in Erie, Pa.

“He makes a difference for the good of others and relates with others with compassion, prudence and humility,” said Sr. Suzanne. “Robbie exemplifies the values and integrity of this university.”

Chulick will return to St. Bonaventure in the fall as a student in the graduate Integrated Marketing Communications program.

To know Courtney Cobb, the Ideal Bonaventure Woman, is to know St. Bonaventure University, said Christopher Brown, coordinator of residential education and housing. “Many times, when I hear the statement, ‘she bleeds brown,’ I consider it a cliché. With Courtney, it is an understatement,” said Brown.

Cobb became a resident assistant in Shay Hall this year in large part because she wanted to help ensure that “other students experience St. Bonaventure with as much joy as she does,” said Brown.

Cobb quickly established a close-knit community on her floor. “It was more like a neighborhood, where students had a neighborly regard for each other and built close friendships,” said Brianne Rehac, resident director of Shay Hall.

Cobb found creative ways to bring together the women on her floor, even establishing a Twitter feed for the group, and organized a number of service outings for the floor, including volunteering at the Warming House soup kitchen in Olean and with Bona Buddies a youth mentoring program. She also created a series of programs to increase multicultural awareness on her floor.

Cobb was secretary of the Student Government Association for two years and was the “driving force” behind a Senior Class Gift campaign to raise money for renovation of the campus Rathskeller, a popular student gathering spot, said Brown. Her efforts earned her recognition in 2012 as the Heather Lohr Student Government Association Member of the Year.

Cobb was a peer coach with the First-Year Experience Program, and this year, as a graduate student, taught two courses in the Clare College curriculum aimed at helping incoming students develop habits that lead to academic success.

She has successfully managed these many responsibilities while maintaining a high grade point average, said Brown.

“Courtney has fully embraced the experience of a student at St. Bonaventure, academically, socially and spiritually,” he said. “At the end of her journey, she emerged as a leader with the responsibility to advance and improve the Bonaventure experience for others. She is exactly who I would consider an Ideal Bonaventure Woman.”